METHOD FOR DETERMINING A COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF USERS IN A SHARED VEHICLE

Abstract

 A method for determining a compatibility between a plurality of users in a shared vehicle (3), comprising the steps of i) determining at least one journey (4) to be undertaken by users (1); ii) assigning a profile to each user (1), where the profile is: driver (12), passenger (11) or neutral (13); iii) determining at least one compatibility between the at least one journey (4) by the users (1); and iv) determining at least one transfer compatible for its sharing between users (1), based on the at least one particular compatibility between the at least one journey (4) by the users (1), and the profile assigned to each user (1), in such a way as to facilitate the bringing together of users (1) with a view to sharing a transfer, via an application which they have on their mobile devices (2).

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The object of the present patent application is a method to determine a compatibility between a plurality of users in a shared vehicle, as claimed in claim 1, featuring significant innovations and advantages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Currently, people seek to optimise their use of means of transport. Among other alternatives, users consider more and more the option of the shared car, inasmuch as current technologies and means of communication permit rapid, effective connection between users with similar transport requirements.

[0003] Nowadays, the state of the art consists of various systems by which the user, by means of a wireless device or smartphone, makes a travel request, stating manually the details of his travel requirement. Thus, the user must enter manually and actively the characteristics of the journey.

[0004] Also known in the state of the art, as reflected in document US20160364823, is a method for receiving a request to share a driver's journey, wherein a computer includes a route analysis module to gather travel information and calendar schedules from a first mobile device of a first user and from a second mobile device of a second user. The method seeks to determine a coincidence between the first and second route patterns and to generate a proposal for the users for the shared use of a vehicle.

[0005] Said document discloses the sharing of the users' agenda in order to propose journeys. However, said proposal is made from the moment when the user states his wish to actively seek companions on the journey to a destination.

[0006] Conversely, also known in the state of the art, as reflected in document US20160025507, is a method for the determination of the compatibility of the shared route. Therein, information on the user concerning the places visited, including data on regularity and duration, is gathered. A processor identifies the probability of each of the locations visited by the operating user, determining the coincidences between the operator and a potential travel companion whose destination is similar to that of the operating user of the method.

[0007] Said document discloses that it is the system itself which creates the meeting between users, and actively makes shared travel proposals on the driver's HMI (Human-Machine Interface).

[0008] Thus, and in view of the foregoing, it is evident that a need still exists for a method to facilitate the bringing together of the different persons or users with a view to sharing a common journey in a shared car, via an application which the different users will have in their smartphones.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention consists of a method for determining a compatibility between a plurality of users in a shared vehicle. Thus, and where there exist a number of users, interconnected by means of a wireless device, preferably a mobile telephone, the method of the invention enables the finding of coincidences between future journey requirements, and makes proposals to said users.

[0010] A journey is understood to be the distance to be travelled by a user between an origin and a destination.

[0011] A transfer is understood to be a part of, or the entirety of a journey which is compatible between at least two users.

[0012] The method manages preferentially the journeys or transfers which are recurrent, and less so the journeys or transfers which are isolated. However, the method can also be used for isolated journeys based on user data, such as the digital agenda of his mobile telephone. This feature is executed preferentially when a similar journey has been undertaken in the past, it having been saved under the same name or a similar name in the agenda.

[0013] Thus, the system being configured for the execution of the present method, it monitors the user's journeys or transfers and also those of the other users belonging to the network. In this way, the system can automatically find users who go on the same journeys. It will not be necessary for the user to enter the details of the journey, such as the time, day, point of origin and final destination, but the system, already being aware of said information, will make automatic proposals to the user, such as by informing them of which other users are compatible to share that journey. In another embodiment, the user has to perform a single action, such as touching a single button on his mobile telephone once only, so that the system, configured to execute the present method, will propose possible journeys to share.

[0014] It should therefore be mentioned that in the present invention it is the system itself which directly makes proposals for shared journeys, in accordance with the habitual journeys of the user. To this end, and in a preferred embodiment, the method performs a categorisation of the different types of users; those who always drive, those who never drive, and those who may fall into either category, as they do not mind whether they drive or not. This prevents the system from making proposals to users with no interest in the same.

[0015] In accordance with the preferred embodiment with the three types of users: a) the passenger, the one who never drives, who receives proposals wherein he would be a passenger on the shared transfer, receiving proposals from both the user who does not mind driving or not and from the one who always drives; b) the driver, the one who always drives, who receives proposals wherein he would be the driver, receiving proposals from both the user who never drives and from the one who does not mind driving or not; c) the "neutral" user who may be either of the former, as he does not mind driving or not, who receives proposals wherein he would be the driver and proposals wherein he would be a passenger, receiving proposals from the user who never drives, the user who does not mind driving or not and from the one who always drives.

[0016] Thus, the method of the present invention, with its associated system configured to execute said method, comprises fundamentally the following characteristics:

• being in communication with the agenda and the navigation system/GPS, in order to monitor the transfers entered by the user into the agenda of his mobile telephone, e.g. medical visits, other appointments, etc... it is also via the GPS/satnav that transfers common to other users are predicted, such as travelling from home to work. From this information it is possible to predict future journeys.
• monitoring users with transport requirements, dividing them into three classes or types: a) the passive user with his role as a passenger; said passenger does not possess a vehicle and is not willing to drive. b) the active user or driver; said user possesses a vehicle and is always willing to drive the vehicle. c) the neutral user, who can be either of the above types; that is, the passive user or the active user.
• proposing possible shared journeys to users by crossing the data of all available users, depending on whether they are drivers or passengers. It is therefore the system itself which makes travel proposals to the users, it not being necessary for them to say that they wish to share the journey, it being understood that if the user has the corresponding application installed in his mobile telephone he accepts the circumstance of receiving said proposals automatically.
• notifying the user whenever the system finds another possible candidate to share the journey.

[0017] More specifically, the method for determining a compatibility between a plurality of users in a shared vehicle comprises the steps of: i) determining at least one journey to be undertaken by each of the plurality of users; ii) assigning a profile to each of the plurality of users, the profile being: driver, passenger or neutral; iii) determining at least one compatibility between the at least one journey to be undertaken by each of the plurality of users; and iv) determining at least one journey compatible for its sharing between at least two users, on the basis of the at least one particular compatibility between the at least one journey of at least two of the plurality of users, and the profile assigned to each of the plurality of users. In this way, the user will automatically receive a notification or notice in the event of new coincidences arising for travelling on a particular route. Thus, the user avoids having to access the system again and again to search and check actively.

[0018] On the other hand, the user does not have to enter manually the characteristics of the journey or transfer, nor does he have to lodge requests in the system for it to verify coincidences time and time again. This results in the user finding more easily other users with whom to share a vehicle, which otherwise he would not find.

[0019] In greater detail, when the system detects a coincidence for a transfer, it automatically proposes this to the various users of the application associated with the method of the invention, and to the system executing the same. Regarding the case wherein the user is the driver; he may first state whether he wishes to share with that passenger or not. Secondly, whether he wants a proposal of another passenger or not, as the case may arise that the seats of the vehicle are already occupied, or that he is not going in his car, or that he wants to go alone. Thirdly, if he wants a proposal for a driver, as he may not want to drive. On the other hand, and in the event that he has already chosen another user, and subsequently the user-driver changes his mind and decides to be a passenger, the chosen user will be notified, so that he is not unaware that he no longer has a vehicle. Both of them, the user-driver and the chosen user, might then go in a third car if the chosen user does not mind changing driver. The system also comprises a setting wherein the option is selected to state that the user-driver is accompanied by someone, and that there is already another passenger.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the step of determining at least one journey or transfer to be undertaken by each of the plurality of users is by means of a calendar, where an electronic device comprises the calendar. Thus, the system can compare the dates on which the various users will make their journeys, thus establishing the existence of a coincidence in both transfer and date.

[0021] On the other hand, the step of determining at least one journey to be undertaken by each of the plurality of users is by means of a travel history, where the at least one journey is obtained by means of a GPS/satnav navigation system.

[0022] Alternatively, the step of determining at least one journey to be undertaken by each of the plurality of users is by means of the manual entering by each of the plurality of users. In this way, the possibility exists for each user to enter different journeys or transfers, or those which are not in his history, his agenda or his calendar.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the step of assigning a profile to each of the plurality of users comprises assigning the profile or type according to the at least one journey, so that the profile or type of the user is selected specifically for each journey or transfer. The user may therefore have different profiles for each of the journeys undertaken.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of assigning a user profile to each of the plurality of users is automatic and in accordance, in a non-limitative manner, with the speed of each of the plurality of users during the at least one journey and/or the use of an electronic device by each of the plurality of users during the at least one journey and/or the unlocking of the vehicle by means of an electronic key.

[0025] Alternatively, the step of assigning a profile to each of the plurality of users is manual, by each of the plurality of users, in such a way that the user has the possibility of choosing his desired role on the journey or transfer in the shared vehicle.

[0026] Advantageously, the at least one journey or transfer comprises an origin and a destination, where the step of determining at least one compatibility between the at least one journey is on the basis of the origin and the destination of the at least one journey. In this way, the method takes two specific references as elements for comparison, maximising the reliability of the proposal of coincidence among users.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compatibility between the at least one journey is a fraction of a particular compatible transfer or the entirety of a particular compatible transfer. Thus, the possibility of sharing the vehicle for only part of the journey between the origin and the destination is offered.

[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the compatibility in the at least one journey is based on a time of departure from the origin and a time of arrival at the journey destination. Thus, the method takes two specific references as elements for comparison, maximising the reliability of the proposal of coincidence among users.

[0029] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the step of determining at least one journey compatible comprises assigning a user who will drive the shared vehicle, where the user who will drive the vehicle is selected from among the plurality of users with a driver and/or neutral profile. In this way, the role of driver is chosen from among only the users who have previously described themselves as potential drivers, or at least have not renounced this possibility.

[0030] It should be mentioned that the method of the present invention contemplates a series of situations and manners to avoid the random selection of the vehicle driver. As a non-limitative example, the user who will drive the shared vehicle is selected due to fulfilling a maximum number of compatibilities among the at least one journey or transfer of the plurality of users. Another possibility is where the user who will drive the shared vehicle is selected due to a maximum number of users having a passenger and/or neutral profile in the at least one journey or transfer.

[0031] With regard to the above, the step of determining at least one journey compatible comprises assigning at least one occupant to the shared vehicle, where the at least one occupant is selected from among the plurality of users with a passenger and/or neutral profile. In this way, the role of passenger is selected from among only those users who have previously described themselves as potential occupants, or at least have not renounced this possibility by describing themselves specifically as drivers.

[0032] In addition, the method of the invention comprises an additional step of acceptance of the at least one particular shared transfer by the user who will drive the shared vehicle, so the possibility exists of the user who will drive the shared vehicle rejecting said shared transfer, for whatever reason.

[0033] Also, with regard to the above, the method of the invention comprises an additional step of acceptance of the at least one particular shared transfer by the at least one occupant of the assigned shared vehicle, so the possibility exists of the user rejecting said shared transfer, for whatever reason. Preferably, the criterion for acceptance or non-acceptance of the at least one shared transfer is on the basis of the number of unconfirmed seats in the shared vehicle for the at least one particular journey.

[0034] Likewise, the present method also offers the possibility for the occupant or passenger to express his opinion and to accept or reject sharing with a particular driver, to say whether he wishes another driver to be proposed, or if he wishes a passenger to be proposed, as he may have a vehicle for this particular journey.

[0035] Subsequently, the method notifies each user of the decision and choice of the other user and the reply selected is applied, e.g. updating the occupied seats in the shared vehicle or, for example, not showing information to any other user about said journey or transfer, it being full.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises an additional step of displaying on the screen of the mobile device a diagram with information about the occupied seats and the empty seats of the shared vehicle.

[0037] On the other hand, the method of the present invention also contemplates the cases where a user is a passenger only, and said user receives proposals for sharing a vehicle with driver-only or neutral users; also cases where the user is driver-only, and receives proposals for sharing a vehicle with passenger-only or neutral users; and also cases where the user is neutral, receiving proposals for sharing vehicles with driver-only, passenger-only or neutral users.

[0038] The computer application configured to execute the method of the present invention may present various complementary options. Thus, the application may count the people who have accepted the shared journey. Knowing the number of seats in the vehicle, the method can cease to propose shared transfers when a predetermined maximum has been reached. The driver may have stated beforehand in his user settings that he does not want to share with more than one person.

[0039] The application may also not propose more shared journeys for the passenger if he has already accepted one. Alternatively, it is possible to continue to propose shared transfers until the users reply that they do not wish to receive more proposals, as they do not want to see more alternatives. It may also give the user the opportunity to reactivate the receiving of proposals for a specific journey or transfer after having stated that no more proposals are desired; the situation may arise that subsequently a user may cancel.

[0040] The application may also present a view wherein the user can see all the journeys that the system thinks the user may undertake, so that the user can, for example, enter a journey and select "reactivate proposal". The user can have the possibility of changing the complete settings for a specific journey. For example, whether he wants to drive or not, how many people he wants to share with, whether he wants to continue receiving proposals or not, preferred time for the shared transfer... and all independently of his selections in the general settings.

[0041] The attached drawings portray, by way of a non-limitative example, a method for determining a compatibility between a plurality of users in a shared vehicle, constituted in accordance with the invention. Other characteristics and advantages of said method for determining a compatibility between a plurality of users in a shared vehicle, the object of the present invention, will become evident on the basis of the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment illustrated as a non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] 

Fig. 1.

A perspective view of the interior of a vehicle, with a user handling a mobile device, in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2.

A view of a user's calendar on a mobile device, in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3.

A view of a screen with a possible user setting on a mobile device, in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4.

A view of a screen with a possible proposal from the processing unit to the user on a mobile device, in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5A.

A view of the different elements of the shared transfer, in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5B.

A view of the shared transfer, with details of different users, in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0043] In the light of the aforementioned drawings, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention may be seen, describing the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0044] Figure 1 portrays, by way of illustration, the perspective of the interior of a vehicle with a user 1 handling a mobile device 2. The user 1 in the driver's 12 seat is handling his mobile device 2, viewing a series of data 14 on the screen 22. It is understood that the user 1 is paying attention to the information presented to him by the processing unit 24 of his mobile device 2 via a diagram 23 and a calendar 21. Subsequent to the user checking into the application wherein the method of the present invention is executed, the vehicle potentially becomes a shared vehicle 3.

[0045] Figure 2 portrays, by way of illustration, the calendar 21 of a user 1 on a mobile device 2. It may be seen that like the invitations made via computer programmes such as Outlook, the system or the processing unit 24 detects that it is a repeated transfer or journey 4. In the case of the present invention, on accessing the application, the processing unit 24 asks whether it is desired to change either the settings of the entire series of journeys 4 or solely the journey 4 of that day.

[0046] Figure 3 portrays, by way of illustration, a view of a screen 22 with a possible user 1 setting on a mobile device 2. Therein, in a plan view of a shared vehicle 3, the seats 31 corresponding to a number of passengers 11 and to the driver 12 may be seen. On the left of the figure, a portrayal may be seen of the data 14, by way of a non-limitative example, of the configuration of the preferences of a user 1.

[0047] In greater detail, by means of the selection of the "go-ahead" 15 or not of the data 14 in figure 3, the receiving of new notifications of functions F31 to F36 may be activated or deactivated. The datum 14 portrays information on the occupied seats 31 with regard to the total number of seats 31 offered. The diagram 23 portraying a plan view of a shared vehicle 3 may also be seen, with the seat of the user 1, an occupied seat 31 wherein, by touching thereon, the data 14 of the user 1 occupying the same are shown. A seat 31 may also be seen as unoccupied or not offered.

[0048] Furthermore, the setting of the system may be adjusted so that each time the system or the processing unit 24 recognises a new coincidence, a notification or notice will appear. In this way, in the event that initially a coincidence is not found, the user 1 will not have to access the application continually in order to check whether there is any news in this regard.

[0049] On the other hand, the user may access the general settings to notify the system of his preferences. This will be his default setting. Alternatively, a specific setting may be entered for a route. For example, the case could arise that the user 1 generally wishes to drive, but not on the day when he goes to the doctor.

[0050] Figure 4 portrays, by way of illustration, a view of a screen 22 whereon the data 14 of various users 1 may be seen, one with a neutral profile 13, being available as either a driver 12 or a passenger 11.

[0051] As a subsequent step, once the user 1 has selected the journey 4 he wishes to share, the system or processing unit 24 offers possible candidates. Thus, the system executing the method of the present invention displays on one side information on the time and place, without any user 1 having to enter this information, and without the users 1 having to actively state that they wish to share that journey 4; and on the other side, even the specific coordinates regarding position, entry into and exit from the transfer can be shared automatically (if the user 1 has enabled this in his preference settings) with the driver 12, for the latter to go and pick up the user 1, without said user 1 having to touch any button of the type "share my location". This does not exclude the possibility for users 1 to talk in order to establish an exact time and place for pick-up.

[0052] Figure 5A portrays, by way of illustration, a view of the different elements of the shared journey 4. Thus, touching on the map portrayed on the screen 22 of the mobile device 2, the user 1 can compare the routes of the users 1 proposed.

[0053] Figure 5B portrays, by way of illustration, a view of the shared transfer with the data 14 of the different users 1. Different users 1 may be seen with the profile of a passenger 11, where an icon of a person reading appears in the space for his data 14, of a driver 12, where an icon of a steering wheel appears in the space for his data 14, or a neutral 13 profile where both icons appear, both a person reading and a steering wheel, in the space for his data 14.

[0054] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one transfer or journey 4 comprises an origin and a destination, where the step of determining at least one compatibility between the at least one journey is on the basis of the origin and the destination of the at least one transfer or journey 4.

[0055] Thus, subsequent to said analysis, the system executing the method of the present invention is able to relate the journeys 4 undertaken by the user 1 with the events of the agenda or calendar 21. For example, when the system sees in the agenda or calendar 21 of the user 1 that he has to go to the dentist, the system will have the information that the vehicle will have to go from point A to point D, and then return from point D to point A. By using the history, it can calculate the approximate time of return, although this can be changed later manually by the user 1.

[0056] In the event that the agenda or calendar 21 is unavailable, the system can likewise analyse regular events or journeys, such as if on weekday mornings he goes from point A to point B, the latter is predictably his place of work, or if on Monday evenings he goes from point A to point C, this will be for some activity he takes part in that day. It does not know which activity, or what work, but by using Google Maps, or another application representing localisation, it may know what there is at that location, or at least what there is near that location. The system can also assign a name to that route or journey 4 instead of showing it as GPS coordinates, with a view to using it again.

[0057] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the compatibility between the at least one journey 4 is a fraction of a certain compatible transfer or the entirety of the certain compatible transfer.

[0058] It should be mentioned that the compatibility may be total or partial, that is, different sections may be made where one fraction will be a transfer compatible with a first passenger 11, another fraction will be a transfer compatible with a second passenger 11.

[0059] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, likewise the components employed in the implementation of the method for the determining of a compatibility between a plurality of users in a shared vehicle, may be appropriately replaced by others which are technically equivalent, without straying from the essential nature of the invention or from the scope defined by the claims included below the list that follows.

LIST OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES

[0060] 

1

user

11

passenger

12

driver

13

neutral

14

data

15

go-ahead

2

mobile device

21

calendar

22

screen

23

diagram

24

processing unit

3

shared vehicle

31

seat

4

journey

FIGURE REFERENCE TEXTS

[0061] 

F21

SEAT

F22

Pare Güell

F23

Dentist

F24

Morning

F25

Tuesday 16th February

F26

Wednesday 17th February

F27

Thursday 18th February

F31

Notifications if new coincidence

F32

Users who wish to drive

F33

Users who do not wish to drive

F34

Users coinciding outbound and return

F35

Maximum detours

F36

Minimum stars for users

F5A1

Start

F5A2

Start, user to be picked up

F5A3

Start, user-driver

F5A4

Destination

F5A5

Destination, proposed user

F5A6

Destination, user-driver

F5A7

Journey alone

F5A8

Shared transfer

F5A9

Journey, driver only

Claims

1. A method for determining a compatibility between a plurality of users in a shared vehicle (3), comprising the steps of:

i) determining at least one journey (4) to be undertaken by each of the plurality of users,

ii) assigning a profile to each of the plurality of users, where the profile is: driver (12), passenger (11) or neutral (13),

iii) determining at least one compatibility between the at least one journey (4) to be undertaken by the plurality of users (1), and

iv) determining at least one journey (4) compatible for its sharing between at least two users (1), based on:

- determining at least one compatibility between the at least one journey (4) of at least two of the plurality of users (1), and

- the profile assigned to each of the plurality of users (1).

2. Method as claimed in the preceding claim, where the step of determining at least one journey (4) to be undertaken by each of the plurality of users is by means of a calendar (21), where an electronic device comprises the calendar (21).

3. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, where the step of determining at least one journey (4) to be undertaken by each of the plurality of users is by means of a journey (4) history, where the at least one journey (4) is obtained by means of a GPS navigation system.

4. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, where the step of determining at least one journey (4) to be undertaken by each of the plurality of users is by means of manual entering by each of the plurality of users.

5. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, where the step of assigning a profile to each of the plurality of users comprises assigning the profile according to the at least one journey (4).

6. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, where the step of assigning a profile to each of the plurality of users is automatic, and in accordance with the speed of each of the plurality of users during the at least one journey (4) and/or the use of an electronic device by each of the plurality of users during the at least one journey (4) and/or the unlocking of the vehicle by means of an electronic key.

7. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, where the step of assigning a profile to each of the plurality of users is manual, performed by each of the plurality of users.

8. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, where the at least one journey (4) comprises an origin and a destination, where the step of determining at least one compatibility between the at least one journey (4) is on the basis of the origin and the destination of the at least one journey (4).

9. Method as claimed in the preceding claim, where the compatibility between the at least one journey (4) is a fraction of a particular compatible transfer or the entirety of the particular compatible transfer.

10. Method as claimed in claim 8, where the compatibility of the at least one journey (4) is based on a time of departure from the origin of the journey (4) and a time of arrival at the destination of the journey (4).

11. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, where the step of determining at least one journey (4) compatible comprises assigning a user who will drive the shared vehicle (3), where the user who will drive the shared vehicle (3) is selected from among the plurality of users with a driver (12) and/or neutral (13) profile.

12. Method as claimed in the preceding claim, where the step of determining at least one journey (4) compatible comprises assigning at least one occupant to the shared vehicle (3), where the at least one occupant is selected from among the plurality of users with a passenger (11) and/or neutral (13) profile.

13. Method as claimed in claim 11, comprising an additional step of acceptance of the at least one particular shared transfer by the user who will drive the shared vehicle (3).

14. Method as claimed in claim 12, comprising an additional step of acceptance of the at least one particular shared transfer by the at least one occupant of the assigned shared vehicle (3).

15. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising an additional step of displaying on the screen (22) of the mobile device (2) a diagram (23) with information about the occupied seats (31) and the empty seats (31) of the shared vehicle (3).

Drawing